This Blog monitors all terror activities of Indian Naxals ie., PWG (Peoples War Group) and Government policies to tackle naxal menace . PWG's current goal is to destablize India and Sub-Continent by a well coordinated strategy with the help of international revolutionaries and covert support from Pakistan and China .

Saturday, August 30, 2008

A sub-inspector and a driver were among the 11 policemen killed in a landmine blast triggered by Communist Party of India (Maoist) members near Burudih Dam under Ghatsila PS some 48 km from district headquarters on Saturday.

The improvised explosion was followed by indiscriminate firing by the Naxalites that lasted for a few hours after police reinforcement reached the spot.

“It was an improvised attack. The Maoists had planted landmines on the route through which the police combing team was returning. Police teams were passing through the route when the blasts were set off,” said the superintendent of East Singhbhum police, Naveen Kumar Singh.

Police sources said the ambush took place around 1.30 pm when the police team led by Ravikant Sinha, a 1994 batch officer, was returning from Tikri after the day’s operation.

A sudden blast ripped off a police jeep following another van carrying 22 JAP jawans who escaped unhurt. Those sitting in the jeep were immediately killed. The deceased included three havildars and six constables.

Police had a tough time identifying the bodies owing to the powerful blast. Patrolling jeeps of the police were torn apart.

PRONAB MONDAL Calcutta, Aug. 30: Naxalites have fanned out in Singur and are goading villagers to resist Tata Motors’ bid to resume work at the Nano plant, an intelligence report has said.

The subsidiary intelligence bureau (SIB) report to the Union home ministry says Naxalites working under the cover of social welfare organisations in Singur could instigate villagers to launch a violent movement. Their aim allegedly is to create terror and panic so workers at the plant are scared away.

More than 100 youths from Maoists-infested West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia are said to be present in the area, as are some Jadavpur University students known to be Naxalite sympathisers.

They landed in Singur before Mamata Banerjee began her indefinite dharna.

“We were present at Thursday’s demonstration in front of the Tata Motors gate. In future, they (the Tata Motors authorities) will witness more demonstrations if they try to start production,” said Jiban, who came to Bajemelia in Singur from West Midnapore 10 days ago.

On Thursday, the demonstrators blocked the factory gate near the vendor park when 14 buses carrying Tata Motors executives were leaving the plant. The blockade forced the company to halt work indefinitely.

Police officers posted at the factory site said they had spotted several “suspicious-looking” faces in the siege crowd.

“Thursday’s blockade confirmed our doubts. The agitation was unexpected and we spotted several faces among the demonstrators. Had the Naxalites not been involved in the agitation, it would not have been so intense,” an officer said.

The Naxalite activists are believed to have taken refuge in the homes of Save Farmland Committee members in Beraberi, Gopalnagar, Khasherbheri, Bajemelia and Joymollah villages.

“Holding meetings in courtyards is part of our daily routine. We are motivating villagers through short plays and songs. We are teaching them to focus on the goal — force Tata Motors to leave Singur,” said a Jadavpur University student.

Sushanta, a Naxalite leader from Lalgarh, Bankura, said: “Our aim is to prevent the workers from entering the factory at any cost. Our resistance may not be armed, but it will be extensive.”

Last year, Naxalite outfits were said to be behind guerrilla-styled attempts to pull down the small-car plant’s boundary wall.

NEW DELHI, Aug. 29: With a view to strengthen the internal security mechanism, the Centre today asked states to raise commando companies on the lines of Cobra battalions of the CRPF to meet the challenges of guerrilla warfare.

The government has already approved raising of ten Cobra battalions in the CRPF in view of internal security challenges mainly from the guerrilla tactics used by Left wing extremists and other militant and extremist groups.

“The government has been taking a series of measures to strengthen the internal security mechanism, keeping in view the various challenges facing the country. In order to meet this challenge, the need for raising forces, specially trained in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare both at the Centre and in the states has been felt,” said a home ministry official.

“Under this scheme, additional financial assistance of Rs 3 crore per company will also be provided to the states that are facing problems of militancy/extremism for each of the 44 India Reserve Battalions approved during the next four years. Assistance to states is proposed separately under the 11th Five Year Plan to provide training in counter insurgency and anti-terrorism by setting up 20 training centres in five states,” the official said.

CHANDRAPUR: Alert commandos of the special operation squad (C-60) of Gadchiroli district foiled an attempt by naxalites to inflict major casualties through an explosion on Saturday.

While conducting a search operation on Allapalli-Sironcha road near village Mosam under Aheri police station, the police traced a trap laid by the naxals for detonation.

Police sources said that after developing suspicion about the trap, the place was thoroughly searched and a steel box filled with 7 kgs of explosives was found buried near the road. The device was connected to a 20-foot long wire which led to a detonator.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (August 29) met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and made a strong demand for giving assent to a bill to combat terror and organised crime(GUJCOC) in the state. National Security Adviser M K Narayanan was also present in this meeting. Meeting went on for 45 minutes in Prime Minister office.

Modi explained to the Prime Minister that the law similar to the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act was already operational in Maharashtra, then why not in Gujarat? Modi harped on the need for “strong laws” to prevent youngsters from falling prey to terrorists who were looking to recruit them for their anti-national activities. Modi said there was a need for border fencing and special training and providing modern equipment to the forces engaged in border security. Modi said he was not interested in playing politics on the issue of terrorism.

“A political will is needed to further strengthen the police force including giving them more legal powers and resources. I requested the Prime Minister to immediately pass Gujarat’s law against organised crime, which has been passed twice by the Assembly, and has been lying with the Centre for the past four years. It is important to understand that this law exists in Maharashtra and if a bomb blast takes place they can use it, but if it happens in Gujarat just 50 km away I don’t have the law. I want to tell those politicians who have their minds filled with vote bank politics that there were terrorist activities even when POTA was in force and that despite having Section 302 (of IPC which gives death penalty for murder) murders do take place. Does this mean we remove this clause? I apprised them about the information revealed by the terrorists arrested for their involvement in the Ahmedabad blasts. There is a need for co-ordination between the Centre and states and also among the states to combat terror. It has come to light that states which are doing well economically are especially being targeted. I requested the Prime Minister to call a meeting of such states and he has agreed to it. I also requested the Prime Minister that since Gujarat is a border and coastal state there is a need to re-look and upgrade its security.I am not here as a BJP leader but as a voice of the Gujarat Assembly which represents 5.5 crore people. We should face terrorism as a united force,” he said, when asked if he felt the BJP-ruled states were being discriminated against by the Centre in the fight against terror. I hope the Prime Minister and the government in Delhi will show political will and take a decision soon” Modi said after his meeting with the Prime Minister.

NEW DELHI, Aug 29 – The Union Government has cleared a proposal for raising of 10 Commando Battalions for Resolute Action Battalions (COBRA) in the CRPF. The five States where the training centres would be located include Assam. Each of the battalions would have 1057 personnel and over 10,000 strong force of commandos would be available in the next three years, official sources said.

For effective and immediate response, these battalions would be located in the main theatres of action in the affected States including Assam. Other States where these forces would be located include UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh, sources said.

The Cabinet Committee on Security that was chaired by the Prime Minister here to today cleared the proposal.

Young personnel would man the force with peak combat fitness, who will be provided specialised training and equipment for guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare. This involves an expenditure of more than Rs 1,300 crore, sources said.

Additional financial assistance of Rs 3 crore per company will also be provided to the States that are facing problems of militancy to raise two companies on commando pattern in each of the forty-four India Reserve Battalions.

Assistance to States is proposed separately under the 11th Five Year Plan to provide training in counter – insurgency and anti-terrorism by setting up 20 training centres in five States, sources said.

Four existing training centres of the Central para military forces would be upgraded for providing training in guerrilla warfare and jungle survival to the personnel of COBRA battalions by creating of additional infrastructure to train about 2800 persons per year.

The proposal to set up the commando training centres was first mooted at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta after a powerful landmine left 21 Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel dead in Malkangiri. At least six jungle warfare and counter-insurgency schools were then proposed to be set up to train commando forces being raised by the Naxal-affected States.

After chairing two separate meetings with officials of four Naxal-affected States – Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa – the Home Secretary had said a few battalions, already engaged in the task have been identified. The States have also been asked to arrange land for setting up the battalions so that by the time the approval is received, it could be operationalised immediately, he said.

'Some wayward cadre lured by some committed the crime'Copy of the letter sent to VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders

Maoists also deny role in the murder of VHP activists at Jalaspata

BERHAMPUR: Mystery behind the gruesome murder of VHP leader SwamiLakshmanananda Saraswati and his four associates has deepened. TheBajrang Dal and VHP activists as well sections of the media havereceived a suspected Maoists' letter where they claim that theircentral committee had no role in the murder.

The letter claimed that some wayward cadre of the Maoist outfit werelured by nefarious elements to commit the crime. Meanwhile naxalsympathizers of Orissa have also claimed that Maoists had no hand inthe murder of the VHP activists at Jalaspata in Kandhamal district.

A copy of the letter was sent to the State joint secretary of the VHPand the State joint coordinator of the Bajrang Dal, Ramakant Rath. Theletter was claimed to be written by the Kotgarh unit of the CPI-Maoistparty.

'Action planned'

As per the letter the organization would initiate action against someof their cadres in Kandhamal district who could be hired for money bycommunal Christian miscreants for the murder of the VHP leader and hisassociates. The reason for the murder was their opposition toreligious conversion by missionaries and recent clash over cowslaughter in Tumudibadh area. "The State central committee of theMaoists had no knowledge of this", the letter claimed. The naxals feltpolice were putting the blame of murder of VHP leader on them tryingto detach them from the common mass.

Many Maoist sympathizers of south Orissa have also denied the role ofCPI-Maoist in the murder of VHP leaders that sparked off communalviolence in Kandhamnal district.

Through a press note Dandapani Mohanty, general secretary of theOrissa Forest Mazdoor Union said Maoists had no role in the communalmurders in Kandhamal district. It may be noted that Mr Mohanty earlierheaded the Daman Pratirodh Manch, which was banned by the StateGovernment for its pro-naxal activities. The case filed by against theban order is sub judice in the Orissa High Court.

It may be noted that the State unit of the BJP is also not buying theclaim of the State Government that Maoists had murdered the VHPleader.

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Six CRPF personnel, including an inspector, were killed in a landmine blast triggered by naxals in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district today.The incident occurred on a state highway when the CRPF team was proceeding on an anti-naxalite operation from Konda to Narayanpur at around 11 AM, CRPF spokesman Ajay Chaturvedi said.

The CRPF vehicle carrying the team was blown up in the explosion. Combing operations have been launched to nab the Maoists involved in the blast.

The CRPF has despatched Deputy Inspector General of Police R S S Sahota to Narayanpur for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

Terming the incident as very unfortunate, Director General of CRPF V K Joshi said anti-naxal operations have been intensified under the supervision of senior officials. The Inspector killed in the blast has been identified as R S Kang. PTI

“Nirmala adopted Maoism as a way of life and joined the Dalam with her sister Kamla almost a decade ago. She married a hardcore Maoist, Shyamlal, in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and used to operate between Gadchiroli and Balaghat.”

New Delhi, Aug 28: Nearly a year after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had described Left-wing extremism as a "virus", the government has given the green signal to raise a 10,000-strong special anti-Naxal force COBRA.

The nod to the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA), under the command and control of the CRPF, was given last evening by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by the Prime Minister.

K Durga Prasad, a 1981 batch IPS officer from Andhra Pradesh and an expert in handling the anti-naxal operations, is likely to take charge of the COBRA.

The new force will be set up at a cost of Rs 1,389.47 crore out of which Rs 898.12 crore will be spent on land and infrastructure while Rs 491.35 crore will be used for manpower training over a period of three years.

The CRPF, in the meantime, will provide its personnel till the recruitment and the training process of the fresh 10 battalions is completed.

The Prime Minister, during his address to the top police brass in October last year, had called for setting up a special force to tackle Left-wing extremism.

The COBRA personnel would be imparted special training in terrain and topography of their area of operation.

The COBRA will be headquartered in the national capital and will have battalion headquarters in every Naxal-affected state.

Naxalites have carried out several attacks this year which includes gunning down of more than two dozen personnel of Andhra Pradesh's elite force "Greyhounds" last month, killing of Orissa police personnel, political leaders and their kin.

Bureau Report

New Delhi (PTI): Nearly a year after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had described Left-wing extremism as a "virus", a special anti-Naxal force -- COBRA -- has finally seen light of the day after remaining in bureaucratic wrangling for months.

The clearance to raise the 10,000-strong Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA), under the command and control of the CRPF, was given on wednesday evening by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by the Prime Minister.

It took nearly a year for the Union Home Ministry to translate the words of the Prime Minister into action. Singh during his address to the top police brass last year in October had called for a special force to tackle Left-wing extremism.

Though the CRPF, which is in-charge of the internal security in the country, had submitted a proposal to the Ministry about creation of a dedicated force, the Home Ministry was still mulling over it till it pressure was exerted from relevant quarters for its immediate presentation before the Cabinet.

The 10,000 odd men in the COBRA unit will focus on "effectiveness and operational success" and they would be imparted exclusive training in the terrain and topography of the area of operation.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Patna, Aug 25 (IANS) A doctor and his three assistants have been arrested in Bihar's Aurangabad district after they were found treating a Maoist leader, police said Monday.

R. S. Gupta, a noted surgeon, and his three assistants were Sunday held on charges of providing shelter and treatment to Maoist leader Binay Kumar Prajapati in Aurangabad, considered a Maoist stronghold.

Superintendent of Police (Aurangabad) Ganesh Kumar said Gupta was arrested following a raid on his nursing home in Aurangabad town, 140 km from here, for providing treatment to Prajapati. Another Maoist, Lav Kumar, was also arrested during the raid.

Kumar said they had 'adequate evidence against Gupta of his links with Maoists' who operate in the district and neighbouring areas.

Police suspect that Prajapati was seriously injured in an exchange of fire between the police and Maoists at Raniganj in Gaya district Friday. The encounter took place after the guerrillas attacked a police team, killing six officials.

Gupta has been the government doctor in the Aurangabad district jail for the last four years. Around 300 rebels, including top Maoist leaders, have been in the prison during this period.

'Police will look into Gupta's links with Maoists in view of the fact that he was posted in the jail,' a police official said.

Kumar said that a detailed report on Gupta's links with the Maoists would be sent to the state government.

New Delhi, August 27Islamic terror’s trusted arm - the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) - has been found to be using many unusual channels to spread its tentacles across the country, according to central intelligence agencies’ sources.

Recently, around 10 members of a pan-India SIMI network, including the ‘mastermind’ - Mufti Abu Bashir - were arrested by the Gujarat police for the July serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Bashir, a madarsa cleric from Azamgarh, was picked up from Lucknow in a joint operation by the Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh police.

Besides using the traditional madarsas, universities and schools route, the SIMI leadership has also been operating under the cover of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), social and cultural clubs, popular internet chat spots and libraries to look out for new recruits and establish the bases.

Reports from the special branch of various states’ police have indicated that SIMI has also been working under the cover of religious study centers and rural development and research bodies.

SIMI chief, Safdar Nagori, was arrested in Indore in March. To free Nagori, SIMI made several plans, including the hijacking of an aircraft or kidnapping of the VIPs.

The police authorities learnt about this during the interrogation of SIMI men arrested for the Ahmedabad and Bangalore blasts. Currently, Nagori is lodged in the Rewa jail.

In many cases, SIMI ‘talent hunters’ conceal their real names and introduce themselves with Hindu or another religion’s names to mask their identity.

This method of operation hints of highly professional training style, generally taught by instructors of espionage or terrorist organisations.

For many years, Indian intelligence agencies have been suspecting ‘terrorism money’ being pumped into this country through dubious NGOs, located especially in the southern states.On record, the foreign money comes for building madarsas or for some development work. ‘Hawala’ and some banking channels have also been used for feeding the terrorism money into India.

An NGO cover, particularly in the social, education and health sectors, helps its workers in operating in the interior parts of the country.

The role of a ‘splinter group’ of SIMI has recently come under security agencies’ scanner for its link with some rural NGOs in Maharashtra and elsewhere.

In 2003, SIMI activists operated from the platform of ‘Islamic Siksha Shivirs’ (Islamic Educational Camps) in Mograhat in the North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.

Some activists from Assam and West Bengal were taken to madarsas (running with funds coming from Saudi Arabia) in Chittagong, Rangpur and Dhaka for ‘higher Islamic studies’.

Official sources allege that SIMI has been maintaining links with Pakistan and Kashmir terrorist outfits and is also supporting militancy in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere. Reports of the outfit’s interaction with the naxalites have also reached the Centre.

The banned organisation has also been distributing objectionable posters and literature to incite communal feelings and question the territorial integrity of India. Such material is largely distributed in J&K, Punjab and the Muslim populated areas.

For the students of Arabic colleges and Islamic universities, the SIMI cadres are operating special programmes, which include the study of languages and Islamic sciences.

The SIMI cadres are also said to be engaged in the safe transportation of explosives, creation of channels for funds and securing safe houses for foreign and Kashmiri jihadi groups.

Rebel killed OUR CORRESPONDENT Ranchi, Aug. 27: A Naxalite was killed in an encounter last night in a forest close to Matiari village under Bero police station of the district.

The deceased was identified as Charku Oroan, who worked under CPI(Maoist) sub-zonal commander Uday Oraon. Police spokesperson and inspector-general (provision) S.N. Pradhan said the police seized a carbine, a rifle, a pistol, a can bomb, magazines, 23 live cartridges and red literature after the encounter.

“The encounter began around 11.30pm and continued for two-and-an-half hours. The rebel, who was killed, was wanted for several crimes,” Pradhan said.

“The encounter site is close to the Lohardaga border and the region’s police superintendent received an information first. He carried out the operation with the help of a joint team of Lohardaga and Ranchi police,” Pradhan said.

Besides the deceased, few other rebels were injured in the encounter, claimed Ranchi superintendent of police (rural) Kuldeep Dwivedi said. “We noticed blood stains this morning when we were inspecting the site. We, however, cannot confirm how many rebels were injured,” he said.

NAGPUR: Interrogation of the five top Naxalites who surrendered to the Gadchiroli police on Tuesday reveal that sexual exploitation of the women cadres by the dalam leaders is rampant.

"Top Naxal cadres prefer to keep women bodyguards for their security. Though the real reason for this type of security pattern is not very clear, we have hints that these women are sexually exploited," said a highly placed source.

Investigating agencies point out that the rift between Naxalites in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh is the key reason that's forcing some to lay down arms. Local cadres are upset that key posts and power-centres in the major dalams are being controlled by Andhra-cadre naxals.

Now, after interrogations, what's being revealed is that sexual exploitation is also a major cause of discontent amongst the Maharashtra Naxalites. "Women cadres are often exploited but they have no one to complain to.

Their voice is suppressed and often they are sent to different postings if they complain," said a source from the police department.

It's learnt that Naxal women are often kept away from their husbands and are deputed away in other dalams as there have been instances where the couples have opted to lay their guns down to begin a family life. Sources also indicated that women are forced to abort on several occasions as they become a 'liability' in the dalam which is always on the move in the deep jungles.

NEW DELHI: After Ulfa and the militants in Kashmir, now naxalites are using Thuraya satellite phones.

The matter came to light after the research and analysis wing (Raw), India’s external intelligence agency, intercepted communication between naxals in different parts of the country.

Terrorists in Kashmir and the Northeast using Thuraya phones for strategic communication is a known fact, but naxals taking to the technology is new.

Raw also found that the location of these satellite phones changes constantly within a particular area of operation as the facility is mostly used by top naxal commanders who keep changing their hideouts for fear of being caught.

Thuraya is a UAE-based firm that provides satellite telephony in most parts of the world. Indian intelligence agencies have traditionally found it very tough to intercept satellite phones, making them the choice of militants in Kashmir. In recent times, however, the agencies, including Raw, have acquired the technology to track them.

Whatever success the agencies have had against Thuraya has been after 2007, when Raw acquired the system to intercept the phones and immediately found out that over 100 such phones were active in India, mostly in Kashmir and other border areas. Then, the second major concentration of satellite phones was in the border areas of the Northeast, where they were being extensively used by Ulfa.

Refusing to divulge the exact number of satellite phones in the possession of naxals, a senior government official privy to the interceptions said, “The presence of satellite phones shows that naxals are increasing becoming technologically equipped.”

New Delhi, Aug 27: The Government tonight cleared a proposal of an exclusive anti-Naxal force of 10 battalions (10,000 personnel) at a cost of Rs 1389.47 crore to fight the growing menace of the ultra-Left forces.

After debating on the proposal for nearly eight months, the Union Home Ministry finally moved the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for raising the Combat battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) which will be similar to 'Greyhounds' of Andhra Pradesh Police.

The Left-extremism, termed by the Prime Minister as a "virus", has engulfed nearly 13 states.

Under the proposal, Rs 898.12 crore will be spent on land and infrastructure while an expenditure of Rs 491.35 crore will be made on manpower training over a period of three years.

The CRPF, which is designated as the central force for countering anti-insurgency, has started work for the creation of such a force after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had asked for the same in December and also submitted a proposal to the Union Home Ministry a few months ago.

Under the proposal, until the training of 10 battalions, the CRPF would deploy an equal number of personnel to begin operations from the day it was sanctioned, the sources said.

K Durga Prasad, a 1981 batch IPS officer from Andhra Pradesh, was posted by the CRPF to take charge of the new SAF force for his knowledge and expertise in handling the anti-left wing operations.

The SAF is likely to be headquartered in the national capital with battalion headquarter in every naxal-affected state.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

NAGPUR: The Naxal movement, already facing a serious manpower crunch in the state, is set to suffer a major setback after five top ranking cadres surrendered at Gadchiroli on Tuesday.

Suresh, alias Jayaram Harami (42), who is a divisional committee member and had a Rs 10L reward on him, is among the five who laid down their guns. Police view the development as the outcome of a serious rift between the Andhra Pradesh-based cadres and local members of the naxalite movement.

Apart from Suresh, Chandana alias Sanita alias Shubathi Channu Madavi, 26, commander of the Kurkhera dalam, has also surrendered. Chandana was the wife of Nagesh, commander of Platoon dalam.

Chief of the state Anti-Naxal Operation cell Pankaj Gupta confirming the developments said that the surrendered naxal cadres would be produced before the collector’s committee soon. “The details of the surrendered Naxals would be verified in due course. At present, we are checking the records,” said the additional director general of police who highlighted the development as a significant one reflecting the dwindling faith of the existing supporters and a few leaders in the movement. This is due to the top brass showing their preference in key postings for AP cadres.

Gaya (PTI): A security personnel was killed and three others were injured in an encounter with Maoists in Bihar's Naxal-affected Gaya district, sources said on Tuesday.

CRPF Havildar B P Singh was kidnapped and shot dead after an encounter with the CPI (Maoist) guerrillas at Patthar- Lautia village, some 90 km from here close to the Jharkhand border, last evening.

Constables Mahipal Singh and R K Shahi, who received bullet injuries in the encounter, were convalescing at the Magadh Medical College Hospital here and were reported to be out of danger, they said.

A sub-inspector of the force whose name was not known yet was reported missing after the incident.

Meanwhile in combing operations launched this morning, a jawan of the Special Task Force of the Bihar police, who had received bullet injuries in his hand, was found from a forest area close to the scene of the encounter, the sources said, adding his Insas rifle had been looted.

Initial reports attributed to DIG (Magadh range) Praveen Vashisht said the fierce exchange of fire took place after the Naxalites ambushed a CRPF vehicle.

The place is not far from Raniganj where eight people including five jawans of the Special Auxiliary Police (SAP), a force raised specifically for counter-Naxal operations, were killed and an assistant sub-inspector of police died in an encounter with the Maoists last Thursday.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Police in Patna on Sunday night, following a raid in Kadam Kuan, arrested three hardcore Maoist extremists with allegiance to the ultra group Democratic Revolutionary Front (DRF) as they huddled to hatch their next big act of violence and destruction.

Senior Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar, during a press conference in Patna on Monday, confirmed the arrests of R. C. Prasad of Samastipur, Ashok Yadav of Gaya, and Dharmendra Kumar of Khagaria.

He, however, denied the arrest of a female extremist as earlier rumored.

All three are currently being questioned by the police.

The arrests, however, have raised a red flag among the law enforcement officials who are stepping up on security to thwart any attempt of violence by various Maoist outfits.

Naxalites of the Communist Party of India Maoist (CPI-Maoist) have condemned the extension of the proscription on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which has been involved in a series of bomb blasts in India. According to media reports, Azad, spokesperson of the Central Committee of the CPI-Maoist, said “it was a reiteration of the (government’s) policy to continue its brutal war on Muslims”.In another statement, Azad also condemned what he called the “double standards of the Indian ruling classes in Kashmir”. He called upon Kashmiri Muslims to “fight back Hindu fascist forces and Indian expansionists”.

The CPI-Maoist has always held the secessionist insurgencies in Jammu and Kashmir and India’s northeast as well as the Tamil Tigers’ war against the Sri Lankan state as “nationality struggles”. At its Unity Congress (also known as 9th Congress) towards the end of January 2007, the CPI-Maoist passed a resolution on ‘Nationality Struggles’, another on ‘Nationalities’, and yet another resolution on ‘Hindu Fascism’.

While it extended support to the secessionist-terrorist movement in Jammu and Kashmir, terming it a nationality struggle, it also said: “The Indian state too has targeted Muslims, branding them ‘terrorist’. After 9/11 and the (Indian) parliament attack, Muslims were targeted once again… Our party is willing to unite in a broad front with all the genuine democratic forces which would be willing to fight back the Hindu fascist offensive.”In the past, too, with a view to winning the support of the Muslim community, the Maoists sought to convey that they empathise with them. For instance, in 2005, the then Andhra Pradesh State Committee Secretary of the CPI-Maoist extended “moral support” and condemned the arrest in Hyderabad of an accused in the murder of a Gujarat politician.

The current statement relating to the proscription of SIMI could be understood by considering the following. One, it is an attempt to win over the support of the Muslim community and thus broaden their base. Two, the Maoists are making common cause with SIMI by condemning its proscription as they too are a proscribed organisation in some states; they are also banned by the central government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Three, and more importantly, this should be seen in the context of the Maoist tactic of making common cause with any organisation or body that opposes the Indian state either through peaceful means or violently. This is part of the United Front tactics of the Maoists.

According to classical understanding, a Communist party should have three “magic weapons”: strong party, strong army and United Front. According to the CPI-Maoist, they would form two types of fronts: Strategic United Front (SUF) and Tactical United Front (TUF).

In other words, the former refers to joining forces with similar armed groups whereas the latter points to forming alliances with legitimate, overground unarmed groups. As yet, there is no indication to suggest that the CPI-Maoist has formed SUF; but the intention has been made loud and clear.

The working of the TUF is clearly in play at present. As a senior police officer (who was earlier with the anti-Naxalite Special Intelligence Branch in Andhra Pradesh) told this author in July, a TUF serves the Maoists’ agenda in the following ways:

* To consolidate various ‘anti-imperialist’ struggles and bring them on to one platform on the basis of a common working understanding;

* To expand the reach of the Maoists to various sections of society by building contacts with them;

* Essentially being a political activity, it reinforces military activities, i.e., armed struggle.The CPI-Maoist has a front organisation known as Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), which has been proscribed by the central government. Some of its key leaders and units are known to be functioning in various states.

The RDF was the prime mover behind the formation of the People’s Democratic Front of India (PDFI) that was founded in July 2006. Its members include Medha Patkar, Nandita Haksar, S.A.R. Geelani, B.D. Sharma, P. Varavara Rao and Darshan Pal.

Some of its constituent organisations include Samyukta Sangram Committee (West Bengal), Indian Federation of Trade Unions, All India Federation of Trade Unions, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Daman Virodhi Manch (Orissa), Jharkhand Progressive Students Union — an affiliate of the All India Radical Students Federation (AIRSF).

It is important to closely monitor the linkages that overground Maoist groups and individuals might seek to form with Muslim groups. These links would not threaten the security of the country but can serve as a headache that can best be avoided.

(P.V. Ramana is Research Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. He can be contacted at palepuramana@gmail.com)

Jamshedpur, Aug. 22: Suspected Naxalites killed a ration shop dealer at Galudih in the Ghatshila police station area this evening.

Krishna Mahto, a resident of Pindrabad village near Baguria, was returning to Galudih on his bike when three men accosted him and pumped bullets into his body. Mahto was rushed to a local nursing home and later referred to the Tata Motors Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police said Mahto’s assailants came on cycles around 6pm. They deliberately hit his bike and started an argument. One of the three pulled out a pistol and fired three shots from point-blank range. As Mahto collapsed, his assailants fled on his bike.

East Singhbhum superintendent of police Naveen Kumar Singh said that Mahto had been on the Naxalites’ hit list because the attack was pre-planned. “They came on cycles, started an argument and then shot at him. This is enough evidence that they had planned the attack,” he said.

Singh said though the motive is not clear, the police are investigating why Mahto was a target.

Kundapur, Aug 25: Sources said that a team of seven armed Naxals visited Tombattu, a Naxal-affected village in Amavasebail gram panchayat, about 25 kms from the taluk headquarters, on Sunday August 24.

Their visit gains significance in view of the stiff resistance the forest department's effort to build earthen embankments around the forests within its command is facing from the villagers. Sources revealed that the Naxal team visited a few houses in the village and discussed with them the problems they are facing because of the endeavour of the forest department.

Some local people, who have long had free access to the forest, are aggrieved over the forest department's efforts to restrict their access to the forests. They reportedly aired their resentment and the Naxals visited the village to sort out the matter.

The Anti-Naxal Force, which has come to know of this visit, has tightened its operations around the regi

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Protests in Orissa over Naxal attackOrissa has ordered the closure of all schools and colleges in the state on Monday in view of the shutdown call of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to protest the killing of one of its leaders and four others.

“To avoid any untoward incident, the government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the state for a day Monday,” an official at the Chief Minister’s office said.

The state government on Sunday ordered a judicial probe into the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four other people, as thousands of protesters blocked roads and stopped trains at several places in the state.

“The state government has ordered a judicial probe into the killings,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting at the state secretariat here.

Saraswati was leading a campaign against cow slaughter and religious conversion allegedly by Christian missionaries. He was shot dead at his Jalespata ashram, some 340 km from here.

"More than 30 men opened fire at the octogenarian leader, killing him and four others," said District Collector Kishan Kumar over phone.

The ashram is located in the communally-sensitive Kandhamal district.

"The attackers overpowered the 10 security personnel and opened fire from their automatic weapons," Kumar said. "We have found a letter from the spot which indicates it may be a Maoist attack."

The attack took place around 7.30pm on Saturday.

“The weapons they used, the bullets and a letter recovered from the spot indicate that they may be rebel Maoists,” said Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda. “The attackers have used sophisticated rifles and AK-47,” he said.

The authorities have prohibited the gathering of four or more people in the entire district and security has been beefed up in the area. The state government has asked the police and district administration heads to remain alert.

"There have been sporadic incidents of road and train blockades in the state," said Inspector General of Police Pradeep Kapoor. A high alert has been sounded across the state, he added.

"Thousands of policemen and paramilitary force troopers have been deployed in the district to avoid any untoward incidents," he said.

Kandhamal district, with a population of around 6 lakh including 1.5 lakh Christians, is considered one of the most communally sensitive regions in the state. The region has witnessed numerous clashes between Hindus and Christians in the past.

Saraswati, a member of the central advisory committee of the VHP, served tribes, mainly Kandhs, in the region. His main ashram is located at Chakapad in the same district. The place where he was killed houses a residential school for girls and another ashram.

Apart from the Chief Minister, Puri Sankaracharya Nischilananda Saraswati, Bharatiya Janata Party national vice-president Jual Oram, and Bajrang Dal leader Subash Chauhan are among those who have condemned the killings.

Hindu groups Bajrang Dal and VHP here announced they would observe a state-wide shutdown Monday to protest the killings. "The state will observe bandh Monday to protest the brutal murders," said Subash Chauhan, all India convenor of Bajrang Dal.

The state government on Sunday sent a high-level police team and additional police forces to the district to monitor the situation.

BHUBANESWAR: As tension continued to prevail in most parts of Orissa following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda and four others in Kandhamal district on Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Mr. Patnaik, who held a review meeting at the secretariat, condemned the attack in which the religious leader and his disciples were killed by suspected naxalites. “Those guilty will be dealt with stringently,” he said.

The Chief Minister also announced an ex gratia amount of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed.

Mr. Patnaik appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony among different sections.

Although the police launched a combing operation in the region, there was no trace of the attackers till Sunday evening.

Tension started building up in many parts of the State by Saturday midnight when news of the killing spread. The activists of the VHP, Bajrang Dal and allied organisations blocked roads at several places.

Protests continued on Sunday and tyres were burnt and vehicles damaged. Two prayer houses were attacked in Kandhamal and Sundargarh districts.

A police outpost and few government offices were attacked in Kandhamal district even as prohibitory orders were imposed to maintain law and order.

Two detained

At Gunjiguda in Kandhamal, two persons, allegedly involved in the attack, were caught by villagers and handed over to the police. The two were detained, police said.

Meanwhile, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal and the Hindu Jagaran Samukhya gave a call to observe a statewide bandh on Monday to register their protest against the killing.

In view of the bandh call, the State government announced closure of all educational institutions.

Police have been put on high alert in sensitive pockets, Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda said.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties have demanded the dismissal of the Biju Janata Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government for its “failure” to prevent the killing.

HYDERABAD: A former naxalite, V Ganesh Babu, was brutally murdered at his residence in Habsiguda on Saturday night. Police suspect the role of Ganesh's absconding wife, also a surrendered naxalite, and his brother-in-law in the murder.

V Ganesh Babu of Kothuluru village in Nalgonda district had worked as a courier for the Rachakonda dalam of People's War in the late ‘90s, and became a practising lawyer and real-estate broker in 2001. Ganesh Babu, his wife Padma, 35, brother-in-law, Ramesh, 22, and two children used to stay on the second floor of a two-storeyed building at Ravindra Nagar, Habsiguda. According to DCP (east zone) T Prabhakara Rao, Padma was an underground naxalite and surrendered in 1996. On Sunday around 5 am, the house owner Narasimha Reddy's car driver Bal Reddy went to the house, and saw Ramesh leaving in a four-wheeler. "He saw Pushpa, her two children and Ramesh leaving in a Qualis," Prabhakara Rao said.

When Bal Reddy went upstairs to switch on the motor, he saw blood stains on the door of Ganesh's house and informed Narasimha Reddy about the incident.

Narasimha Reddy called up 108, police, and Ganesh's brother Raghavulu to inform about the incident.

Police rushed to the spot immediately and found the body of Ganesh lying on a cot in the main bedroom. "Somebody smashed his head with a pestle and iron rod. It appears like Ganesh attempted to resist the attackers as all the walls in the house carry blood stains," Prabhakara Rao said.

After the preliminary investigation, police suspect that Pushpa along with her brother might have killed Ganesh as the couple reportedly had a strained marital relationship for a long time. "Pushpa suspected that Ganesh had an affair with her younger sister, Sudha, who runs a beauty parlour in Dilsukhnagar, and he would give away some property to her," Osmania University inspector of police M Kistaiah said.

Police said that Pushpa and Ramesh were absconding and a police team had been sent to Kandlavelli, Vikarabad, the native place of Pushpa.

The CLUES team visited the spot and lifted fingerprints. A murder case was registered under section 302 of the IPC. "We have contacted the Nalgonda police to get further information about the naxalite background of Ganesh," the DCP said.

In 2005, Ganesh lodged a complaint at the Chaderghat police station claiming that he was threatened by Nayeem, but the DCP (east zone) ruled out the possibility of naxal renegade, Nayeem, murdering Ganesh. "We do not have any evidence which supports the involvement of Nayeem in the incident," he said.

Umesh Chandra

Umesh Chandra, IPS was bold and daring in dealing with the naxalites. He relentlessly pursued the apprehension of extremists, naxalites and other anti-social elements. He planned and led all counter-terrorist operations himself.